Look What I Can Do

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

The Doing Is What Matters

In life, words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises. But performance is reality. – H. Geneen

God said ‘His word would not return to Him void, it would accomplish the very purpose for which He spoke it.’ It still does! Hmm.

Years ago we used to live by the truism ‘a man’s word is his bond.’ This was so because one would only speak on or promise what he knew he alone could deliver without excuse. Today we have terms like ‘Spin Control’, or ‘Politically Correct.’ These are just terms of the day people now use to hide behind or keep themselves ‘safe’ from doing what is actually required of them. But there comes a time in all of our lives where we know it’s what we actually do that counts most, particularly when it comes to God and His kingdom purposes. No amount of words - no matter how well parsed or versed – will satisfy His call for our action. The question we must all face this day is ‘as God directs my path will I perform as needed, or try to talk my way around it?’ It will be our choice, but the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ might bear looking into.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Nothing Less. Nothing More.

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato

When Jesus was ‘transfigured’ before the disciples there, Peter just couldn’t seem to hold his tongue. God set him straight! OUCH!

Look around, we now live in a culture where everyone is virtually connected at their fingertips by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one or ‘thumbing’ through something on the screen. It didn’t use to be this way, but technology has made it easier and "affordable" – but that does not necessarily translate into needful. God has said our conversation is to be uplifting, seasoned with grace, non-condemning, and for the benefit of His kingdom purposes. Given the truth that we will one day have to give account for every word we speak, maybe we should weigh our words a bit more carefully.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

More Than Talk

Action indeed is the sole medium for the expression of ethics or faith. – Jane Addams

Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, etc. Even in a foreign land these men held fast to their ‘open’ worship of God. Hmm!

We’ve all heard the expression “they talk a good game but they don’t back it up.” A good question is how does that apply to us? The bible tells us to be instant ‘in season and out of season.’ The ‘season’ does not refer to the time of year, but to the time right now, meaning whether we feel like it or not we should be a light for Christ. Many of us at times suffer from our tendency to be instant ‘out of season,’ or in other words only when certain others will see it. If we do only what we feel inclined or compelled to do, some of us would do nothing forever and ever. But the proof that we are rightly related to God and His kingdom is that we do our best for Him whether we feel supernaturally inspired or not. We cannot give ourselves to God only when we think it best or when we feel the ‘Spirit,’ He requires all of us at all times.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

Wisdom in Listening

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk. – Doug Larson

It’s interesting that God gave king Solomon a ‘wise and discerning heart’ rather than a booming, commanding voice. Hmm!

Silence – it seems like the word is dead and gone. We are now a nation of talkers, not communicators, just talkers. We talk back and forth, often only surface issues, nothing deep seated. And we have to offer our opinion, give our input or the latest update; we want to explain ourselves, tell our side of the story, or just shoot the breeze. The idea of sitting alone thinking things through (meditation) or asking God and actually waiting for Him to answer (secret prayer) have all but vanished and have been replaced with talk or other ‘noise’. We’ve been duped into thinking we must be in contact or in touch with someone at all times. God gave us two ears for more than just stereo sound, that we might listen twice as much as we speak. May we all be discerning and wiser today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him!” – Habakkuk 2:20

You're Gonna Do What You Want

What you want to do, you do. The rest is just talk. – J. Clark

The bible tells us “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Why, because He WANTED to. Hmm!

No matter how we try to package it and dress it up or try to excuse it, our life is simply a culmination of the things we do. Evil or good, deeds are done simply because we “wanted” to do them. Paul stated, “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” In truth we all have the same 24-hour day to work with, various pressures put upon us, limited resources to work with, and great expectations of others from us. The key to wholeness of life though is to make what “God wants for us” as what we want to do. We must remember “it’s not about us.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

What a Friend We CAN Have In Jesus

Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives. - Alexandre Dumas

Can you imagine all the things Mary - the mother of Jesus - treasured in her heart? Hmm!

Grandma's hands! Grandpa's jokes! Mom/dad's voice! Coach barking out instructions! Amazingly, we can still 'feel' or 'hear' those voices loud and clear in our moments of reflection, and what joy and inspiration they bring. How much more so then, should we enjoy hearing from Our Lord. He said "my sheep hear my voice and a stranger they will not follow." Is the Word of God and voice of the Holy Spirit inviting and pleasing to us, or do we view them as an intrusion and killjoy to all we would want to do? Though God is God and our ultimate judge, He would rather walk and talk with us daily in relationship as a friend. And maybe, out of all the friends we have, we might consider moving Him up on the list. Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend..." - Exodus 33:11

What We Do In The Dark

Live in such a manner that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. – Anon

The bible says Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. What a character reference. Hmm!

One thing is for sure in this life, we will all have good days and bad days, ups and downs, situations and circumstances sometimes all beyond our control. However, how we handle those times is completely within our control. God expects us to maintain self-control, with no “unwholesome” talk coming from our lips. We must remember that what we do in the dark will come to light. Though others may not see or hear you – GOD DOES!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – I Peter 2:11-12

Glorious Intersections

Talk is cheap, at least that’s what you think until you get the phone bill. – Anon 

When God finally answered Job it was much more than he bargained for, but he was blessed as well. Hmm!

It is often said that no good deed goes unpunished. For example, how often is a friendly offering of “how are you?” commandeered into a blow-by-blow account of someone’s recent surgery or illness; or a smile you give is enough to have some stranger open up to tell their life circumstances to you. That’s because people are hurting in this world, and they’ve found very few people actually care, so a simple “how are you?” is all they need to hear. Instead of getting upset or thinking “oh my gosh” maybe we should think like Jesus. God’s desire is for us to make these intersections ‘moments of glory’ for Him and His kingdom purposes, so either we spread a little heavenly cheer to them, or we slow down and hear His voice through them. In either case the key is to open up your heart’s pocketbook.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be on my lips….” – Psalm 34:1

Sermon Pop: "Walk The Talk" Pastor Herb Botts

Good Morning! Catch the latest Sermon Pop: "Walk The Talk" by Pastor Herb Botts today at 10am via YouTube for a bit of Inspiration! SouthsideSunday

https://youtu.be/lG7vYwmptj0

Minding Our Words

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato

When Jesus was ‘transfigured’ before the disciples there, Peter just couldn’t seem to hold his tongue. God set him straight! OUCH!

Look around, we now live in a culture where everyone is virtually connected at the hip by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one. It didn’t use to be this way, but technology has made it easier and affordable – but that does not necessarily translate into needful. God has said our conversation is to be uplifting, seasoned with grace, non-condemning, and for the benefit of His kingdom purposes. Given the truth that we will one day have to give account for every word we speak, maybe we should weigh our words a bit more carefully.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Living Love Letters

Until the bible begins to talk to us, we really have not been reading it.- A.W. Tozer

Did you ever wonder how Jeremiah could 'know' God's compassions were "new every morning?" Hmm!

Handwritten letters, cards, notes - we cherish them for they not only convey information but the feelings and emotions of the one who wrote it; and when it comes from someone we truly care about we read them again and again. Asking ourselves questions like "why did they choose these particular words" or "why did they include this detail, or even write at this time... Such nuances add great value to our understanding and enhance the message. The bible is such a letter. Taken from handwritten scrolls of folks guided by the Holy Spirit to record the moment for all eternity The bible was written by real people to real people. Though yours may now be typeset, bound in a book, or even on an electronic device - never forget it is a handwritten love letter from God, otherwise it will never speak to you.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"...but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:2

Lift Them Up

To belittle is to be little. – Anon

The Pharisee “snubbed” the tax collector in his prayers to God, but he himself was soon humbled by God. OUCH!

When you get right down to it we were all created the same in God’s image, and we are all saved by accepting God’s wonderful, matchless grace. Our life circumstances to this point may not have been identical, and won’t be in the future, but we are still upheld by God’s gracious hand, not anything of our own doing. True, everyone wants to look good and righteous, but putting others down to achieve it is not God’s way, and He’s the righteous judge. As we venture through today’s activities and “divine moments” may edification or silence be our friend.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that is may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 17

Today's scripture reading question: focusing on verse 22, what do you think are the 'benefits' of a cheerful heart?

P.S. - Don't forget Prayer Breakfast tomorrow at 9AM, Round Table discussions Sunday at 9AM, and Business meeting Sunday at 1PM, with dinner to follow!

Don't Fake Action

Action indeed is the sole medium for the expression of ethics or faith. – J. Addams

Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, etc. Even in a foreign land these men held fast to their ‘open’ worship of God. Hmm!

We’ve all heard the expression “they talk a good game but they don’t back it up.” A good question is how does that apply to us? The bible tells us to be instant ‘in season and out of season.’ The ‘season’ does not refer to the time of year, but to the time right now, meaning whether we feel like it or not we should be a light for Christ. Many of us at times suffer from our tendency to be instant ‘out of season,’ or in other words only when certain others will see it. If we do only what we feel inclined or compelled to do, some of us would do nothing forever and ever. But the proof that we are rightly related to God and His kingdom is that we do our best for Him whether we feel supernaturally inspired or not. We cannot give ourselves to God only when we think it best or when we feel the ‘Spirit,’ He requires all of us at all times.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

Time to Listen

Hearing is one of the body’s five senses, but listening is an art. – Anon

The boy Samuel heard God’s call several times before he knew what it took to just listen. Hmm!

We live in a world of constantly increasing communication. Just witness the explosion of ‘smart/social’ media technology (iPads, iPhones, Facebook, FaceTime, Twitter, etc.). But in a world full of communication mediums we have a lot of misdirected, misunderstood people. The art of talk-speak has increased and we have confused hearing with listening. To truly listen is to understand the other persons heart, passion, and desires when they speak. Listening takes time, which we often don’t seem to have; and it takes one’s full attention. This is why we often miss out on God’s responses to our prayers and directions for our lives – we don’t take the time nor give our full attention to Him. God will be speaking today as always, I pray we all listen up.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Then Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things’…. “You believe at last!” Jesus answered.” – John 16:29-31

Wisdom in Silence

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk. – D. Larson

It’s interesting that God gave king Solomon a ‘wise and discerning heart’ rather than a booming, commanding voice. Hmm!

Silence – it seems like the word is dead and gone. We are now a nation of talkers, not communicators, just talkers. We talk back and forth, often only surface issues, nothing deep seated. And we have to offer our opinion, give our input or the latest update; we want to explain ourselves, tell our side of the story, or just shoot the breeze. The idea of sitting alone thinking things through (meditation) or asking God and actually waiting for Him to answer (secret prayer) have all but vanished and have been replaced with talk or other ‘noise’. We’ve been duped into thinking we must be in contact or in touch with someone at all times. God gave us two ears for more than just stereo sound, that we might listen twice as much as we speak. May we all be discerning and wiser today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him!” – Habakkuk 2:20

Watch Me

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich  Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

Look to see what He says

Behind every work of God you will always find some patient, kneeling form. - D.L. Moody

It took God 4 tries before the boy Samuel finally learned to say "speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Hmm!

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who only talks about him/her self? Being polite and friendly you strike up a conversation by asking a question and off they go, endlessly talking about themselves, their situation, their life history, worldview, on and on as if they have a quota to fill. And NEVER once asking anything about you. Been there, huh! Imagine then at times, what it must be like for our Heavenly Father to listen to our prayers and petitions. We greet Him in His authority and off we go with our wish lists of wants and needs, rarely asking Him the desires of His heart, rarely inviting Him to speak to us intimately, to show us His more perfect way(s). Prayer is a gift, but it is also a work, getting ourselves out of the way that God's will may become central and that His will may be done in us and through us. Now that's worth TALKING about!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me......." - Habakkuk 2:1

Monitored Communication

This call may be monitored for quality assurance..... - Operator

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was surprised when God let it be known He was listening in. Hmm!

Communicate! We love to do it, we live to do it. Talk, text, post, tweet, I/M, etc., we just can't seem to get enough of it. We are social beings. After all, communication is at the crux of all relationships, and we were made for relationships. But I guess the bigger question we need to consider is what are we saying or communicating when we go at it? And why? We must remember as God's people we don't get a free pass at this. He said we will "one day give an account of every word we've spoken." The intent there is not a verbatim review of what we said, but what was our 'motive' behind what was said. Was it necessary, helpful, informational, etc., and most of all did it glorify Him? We may not want 'big brother' listening in on our communications but we need remember our Heavenly Father always is.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? - Psalm 94:9

Half Heart Full Loss

Half-heartedness never won a battle. – W. McKinley

Gideon started with 32,000 men and God whittled it down to 300 warriors. Hmm!

The pre-game chat. The Sales Team meeting. The self-confidence pep talk. We’ve all seen, possibly heard and/or participated in something similar to these. That time where we are gathered, greeted, focused, and inflamed with a passion to put forth our all, to achieve victory, conquer the enemy, or finish the task. Life is challenging, but it is necessary to prove us and improve us. God is after those that have a heart after Him, a heart that is willing to give all to Him and for Him just as He did for us with Jesus. And just as we become suspicious when someone offers us a limp handshake or wry smile, imagine how God feels when we offer a half-hearted effort. Today is given to re-ignite your passion for God, here’s hoping it works.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” – Matthew 5:8